PIA Press Release2008/11/10

DepEd moves to sustain GILAS internet program

Pasig City (10 November) -- Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Jesli Lapus recently took the challenge of sustaining the internet connection under the Gearing Up Internet Literacy and Access for Students or GILAS spearheaded by the Ayala Foundation.

Lapus said that while DepEd is grateful for the support of Ayala Foundation through its GILAS Program, more needs to be done. "After the foundation provided internet access for our public school students, the challenge for us at DepEd is to sustain the program by working with other private sector groups to make internet access affordable," he explained.

"I was informed that in spite of earnest efforts, some of our connected schools have been unable to maintain the internet access that GILAS has provided. Thus, I would like to take this opportunity to announce that DepEd will take on the challenge of sustainability," added Lapus.

In response to the Secretary's call for sustainability, a DepEd-GILAS technical working group has forged a memorandum of understanding to work for a "special academic rate" for public schools.

The Education Chief said that "any reduction in rate can be offered as donation to DepEd's Adopt-a-School Program and be entitled to a 150 per cent tax incentive. I am looking forward to signing that MOU with GILAS."

At present, there are 2020 public high schools that have benefited from free internet connection under GILAS. (PIA) [top]